Caroline Lucas MP at climate rally in Brighton, 20 September 2019. Photo: Office of Caroline Lucas
DrillOrDrop’s picture round-up of climate rallies in the UK.
Belfast
Climate rally, Belfast, 20 September 2019. Photo: UKSCN
Birmingham
Climate rally, Birmingham, 20 September 2019. Photo: Rophotographs
Brighton
Caroline Lucas MP addressing climate strikers in Brighton, 20 September 2019. Photo: still from video by Alexander Sallons
Green Party MP, Caroline Lucas, spoke to the crowd in the city.
“You are here because you know the time for talking is over and the time for action is now.
“We have less than 12 years in which to halve global climate emissions, less than 12 years to get off the collision course that we’re on with climate catastrophe. And that’s why it’s so important my friends that you are here today.
“The shameful thing is that my generation has let you down. My generation and the politicians at Westminster are not talking about climate change. There is a real scandal that in the last 12 months there has only been on debate on climate change at Westminster
“It is easy to feel powerless. But you are not powerless. Your actions here today is adding up with actions right across the country. It is adding up with actions right Europe and right across this world. All of us are saying that there is a better way forward.”
Bristol
Climate rally in Bristol, 20 September 2019. Photo: used with owner’s consent
Cardiff
Climate march in Cardiff, 20 September 2019. Photo: Simon Ayre
Chester
Climate rally outside Chester town hall, 20 September 2019. Photo: Frack Free Upton
Chesterfield
Early morning banner drop followed by rally in the town centre.
Climate protest in Chesterfield, 20 September 2019. Photo: James Eaden
Climate rally in Chesterfield, 20 September 2019. Photo: Anna Wright
Doncaster
A huge model owl, which has featured in anti-fracking protests in south Yorkshire and the east midlands, joined the rally in Doncaster. Yesterday, Doncaster Council unanimously approved a motion declaring a climate emergency.
Climate rally in Doncaster, 20 September 2019. Photo: Doncaster Green Party
Edinburgh
Large crowds joined a march through the centre of Edinburgh.
Climate rally in Glasgow, 20 September 2019. Photo: Sutton Hibbert
Dylan Hamilton, a member of Scottish Youth Climate Strike which organised today’s protest, said:
“We are making history by standing up for our future.”
“The people have protested, we marched and then we rallied. We have made our position clear; the government needs to act for the future of humanity. Politicians have spent decades sitting around talking, but if your house is burning down you wouldn’t stop to talk about money, you would act. All those protesting today have shown that action has an impact.”
“There has never been a more important issue facing humanity than the climate crisis. With the week of action to come we will show that we won’t go away, today’s protest will show the world that the people want action that responds to what climate science demands.”
Climate march in Edinburgh, 20 September 2019. Photo: Sutton Hibbert
Glasgow
Climate strikers in Glasgow, 20 September 2019. Photo: Leda Bartolucci
Climate strikers in Glasgow, 20 September 2019. Photo: Leda Bartolucci
Erin Curtis, a 15-year-old striker from Glasgow said:
“It’s absolutely amazing to see so many people striking with us today. The fact that our streets have been filled with everyone demanding action sends a clear message to those in power that the public want to see change.
“The momentum from people is there, we want a better future, and all of us uniting for this protest will drive home to the Government that we won’t stand for platitudes any longer.”
Ipswich
Leeds
Climate march in Leeds, 20 September 2019. Photo: Mike Short
Climate march in Leeds, 20 September 2019. Photo: Mike Short
Climate march in Leeds, 20 September 2019. Photo: Mike Short
London
Climate strikers in London, 20 September 2019. Photo: Steve Mason
Climate strikers in central London, 20 September 2019. Photo: Shared by Scottish Youth Climate Strike
Manchester
Thousands of people were reported to have marched through Manchester.
Climate march in Manchester, 20 September 2019. Photo: Helen Rimmer
Climate strikers in Manchester, 20 September 2019. Photo: Lucy Cartwright
Petersfield
Students from schools around the West Sussex town of Petersfield gathered in the Square to stand up for climate change.
11-year-old William Ponsonby said:
“I’m striking because climate change is a very big problem and we need to make a difference now. If we don’t act immediately our future will be in a lot of trouble.”
Mark Philiips, head of seniors at Ditcham Park School said:
“Education doesn’t just happen in the classroom. It’s happening here today, in the town squares and streets of England and in towns and cities right across the globe. And its our young people who are doing the education, who are teaching these urgent lessons.
“The older generation, those in power, need to sit up, pay attention, take notes and respond to what is being taught. Learn to change.”
Preston
Local anti-fracking campaigners joined youth strikers for an early morning march from Preston railway station through the city centre. A small group gathered for more than three hours in the entrance of Lancashire County Council asking to speak to a member of the authority. The strikers have said they will return every day after school until the demand is met.
Youth climate strikers outside Preston railway station, 20 September 2019. Photo: Still from video by Tina Rothery
Anti-fracking campaigners joining the climate march through Preston, 20 September 2019. Photo: still from video by Tina Rothery
Sit-down protest in the entrance of Lancashire County Council, 20 September 2019. Photo: Still from video by Tina Rothery
Sheffield
Climate strike rally in Sheffield, 20 September 2019. Photo: Natalie Thomas
York
Categories: Opposition
DRILL OR DROP? 
They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and empty glass fibre vessels make the most noise with words, whilst some of us prefer a quiet picture full of meaning and relevance.
This is another type of picture, a moving one with real words, and those moving pictures and words put us all to shame, at least those of us who live in the real world:
UN 2019 Climate Action Summit